Art Therapy and Bulimia The definition and categorization of bulimia nervosa (BN) are addressed in the beginning of the paper. As there are many medical concerns that influence and accompany treatment, a brief overview of these concerns is provided. Next, the focus shifts to the population most affected by the disorder and risk factors for development of BN. A discussion of co-occurring disorders follows due to the fact that BN sufferers often experience one or more co-occurring disorders or differential diagnoses that may further complicate a clinician’s plan for treatment. After an explanation of the disorder and its facets, general information about treatment is described including several therapeutic themes and challenges. Next, specific types of treatment are discussed, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and psychopharmacology. An option for adjunctive treatment, art therapy, is described along with its many advantages for treating clients with BN including the benefit of clients’ relationship to the materials. This is further explored by describing art therapists’ ability to aid clients in creating boundaries, relating to their bodies, and expressing and managing emotions. Several aspects of group art therapy are discussed. Then the focus of the paper turns to a variety of art therapy directives to demonstrate how art therapists can use art as part of the process of recovery from BN. Finally,
There are many psychological effects of bulimia on the people who are suffering from it. They tend to feel unwanted, having difficulty in maintaining relationships, irritability, can’t eat with others, withdrawal from daily life activities, stress, depression etc. (Your Bulimia Recovery, 2011). One of the major drawbacks of being a bulimic is the loneliness you feel. Therefore, communities play a major role in positive or negative health outcomes. Disorganized communities, poor health services, no family support and poverty are related to poor health outcomes (Clark, 2001). It can also damage a person’s mental, physical and emotional health and can also affects his/her self-esteem and confidence (Neda Feeding Hope, 2015). The patients suffering
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder with psychological, physiological, developmental, and cultural components. The disorder is commonly characterized by binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, and the misuse of diuretics, laxatives or enemas. Patients properly diagnosed with bulimia nervosa endure many psychological and physiological problems. In order to alleviate these problems for the patient, usually some type of intervention is required. Considering the financial costs to the patient who seeks treatment, it is important to
After reviewing the “Dying to be Thin” (2000) video and the two studies on anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) my view of these two disorders has been expanded and somewhat altered. The “Dying to Be Thin” video looked at the history, triggers, medical complications and treatments. It documents the struggles of models, dancers and teenagers with the disease. The two studies on AN and BN asked patients in a therapeutic setting to write letters to their disorders from the friend and foe perspective. The results were interesting and merit further studies.
In this report I have chosen to investigate bulimia and describe the variety of services available and how they support someone suffering from this condition. People who have bulimia try to control their weight by severely restricting the amount of food they eat, then binge eating and purging the food from their body by making themselves vomit or using laxatives. Therefore this can make the individual severely sick and depressed. There are a range of services available for help and support for someone who suffers from bulimia.
I found the article "The expanding reach of art therapy: though it's a relatively new approach to mental health treatment, art therapy is gaining traction and making a difference in people's lives." on the Gale Group website.
2013). Ultimately, to ensure the provision of art-based therapies in mental health care are informed, evidence-based and embody the principles of clinical governance for safe and quality practice, the literature surrounding this issue must be appraised through a critique and synthesis
An equally disruptive eating disorder that has been seen in increasing numbers in recent years is Bulimia. About two percent of American women are affected by this disorder. Bulimia is characterized by a distinctive binging and purging cycle. Individuals with this disorder will often times consume large amounts of food, and the immediate throw it back up. These binging and purging actions have substantial medical risks. Additionally, some individuals consume large amounts of food and then proceed to exercise for exorbitant amounts of time. This can also be a risk to ones wellbeing. Other characteristics associated with Bulimia include the abuse of laxatives and diuretics. Individuals with this disease often times completely lose control over their dietary habits. The massive highs and lows cause emotional instability. The mood swings that
After reading the two studies by Serpell from 1999 and 2002, as well as watching the movie Dying to be Thin, I have several opinions about the people diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). In addition, I understand where certain types of therapy and practices could be introduced to help change the thought process of these individuals.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating as well as by self-induced vomiting and/or laxative abuse (Mitchell, 1986). Episodes of overeating typically alternate with attempts to diet, although the eating habits of bulimics and their methods of weight control vary (Fairburn et al., 1986). The majority of bulimics have a body weight within the normal range for their height, build, and age, and yet possess intense and prominent concerns about their shape and weight (Fairburn et al., 1986). Individuals with bulimia nervosa are aware that they have an eating problem, and therefore are often eager to receive help. The most common approach to
While Bulimia is known by many names, the term “bulimia” did not enter the English language until the 1970s, “perhaps representing lingering uncertainty about its essence” (Gordon, 2000). Bulimia, as we know it, is a modern disease, however, there is some evidence of binging and purging in ancient times; for example, in ancient Egypt, “physicians would recommend periodical purgation as a health practice” (Gordon, 2000). There has also been documentation of wealthy families in the middle ages vomiting during meals in order to continue eating large amounts of food. At this point, you may be wondering why these examples are not considered Bulimia Nervosa. According to Dr. Richard Allan Gordon, author of Eating Disorders: Anatomy of a Social
Although anorexia nervosa and bulimia are very dangerous to the health of a person and wreak havoc on the nutritional well-being of the body, there is another serious eating disorder that is often overlooked by society but can be just as unsafe. Sadly, many people have the idea that this particular disorder can be classified as a type of bulimia, but this preconceived idea is incorrect because it is rather a characteristic of the disease than a subcategory of bulimia due to the fact that bulimics force themselves to get rid of their consumptions by exercising or expelling it from their bodies. Binge eating disorder is this very culprit, characterized by excessive and often uncontrollable overeating, which goes well beyond calorie intake recommendations,
Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating with inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. Cognitive Behavior Therapy and antidepressant drug therapy are treatment modalities that have shown promise with patients diagnosed with eating disorders, more so with Bulimia than with Anorexia, (Comer, 2014). In this case study analysis, a synthesis of researched outcomes-based treatment modalities is used to conceptualize a diagnosis and treatment plan for a 19 year-old female client presenting with symptoms of 307.51 (F50.2) Bulimia Nervosa; extreme.
This article gives a basic definition of bulimia, which states that it is the act of binge eating and then purging in a n effort to prevent weight gain. It also says that the physiological thinking behind this disorder has yet to be discovered. Over al the article and its context seem to be reliable it often refers to research and experiments that have been
Creative art therapy can be used to help the client with distorted body image and frustration of neurological disorder.
Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being.